The purpose of this exercise isn’t to wait idly around but rather to do a detailed investigation of all its various high-tech instruments, in particular the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), which sits at the end of Curiosity’s arm. MAHLI is capable of taking extremely close-up images, resolving down to about 15 microns, or half the diameter of a human hair. The camera has been combing the rover with its high-magnification powers, calibrating and giving it a good once-over.

For those anxious for the rover to get somewhere, the wait is almost over. By Friday, this testing and characterization phase of Curiosity’s mission will be done. Then “the plan is to drive, drive, drive,” said the rover’s mission manager, Jennifer Trosper, during a NASA press conference on Sept. 12. Curiosity will soon reach an area known as Glenelg, where it will conduct its first major science experiments, and then find a sandy location in Gale crater to practice its scooping and analysis.

Here we take a look at some shots from the detailed inspection that the rover has given itself during the past week.

Above:

Hello MAHLI

This image shows Curiosity’s turret, situated at the end of the robotic arm. Centered in the picture is MAHLI, the close-up camera. MAHLI’s four LED lights, which allow it to work at night, are on and the camera’s dust cover is lowered. Scientists wanted to inspect the instrument before opening the cover to make sure it wouldn’t get damaged. The photo was taken using Curiosity’s MastCams.

Calibration Close-Up

One of Curiosity’s calibration targets can be seen in this image, zoomed in close using MAHLI. It is part of a larger plaque that helps adjust the camera’s color scheme (below).

Images: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

SAM Cover

A close-up image shows one cover for the rover’s SAM instrument, with its cover closed. SAM is essentially Curiosity’s “nose” and can sniff the Martian atmosphere to determine its composition. Scientists are eagerly awaiting information from SAM, which may shed light on conflicting signals that point to methane — a possible indicator of biological activity — on Mars.

CheMin Intake

This wire mesh cover that leads to Curiosity’s CheMin instrument can be seen in this picture. The rover will use its scoop to place powdered rocks and soil here for analysis, which will reveal their composition and help unravel the history of water on Mars.

APXS Close-Up

In the center of this image, taken with Curiosity’s MastCams, the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) can be seen. The APXS will be placed up against rocks and soil and shoot X-rays at them, analyzing the results to determine their chemical makeup.

Smooth Basalt

A little-known feature on Curiosity is this piece of basaltic volcanic rock from a lava flow here on Earth. The piece has been smoothed down into a nice circle. The rover carried this bit of our planet to Mars in order to calibrate its APXS instrument against a known target. Tiny pieces of Martian dust have already accumulated on the rock -- meaning that during its calibration, APXS also got in its first Martian soil analysis, showing sulfur chlorine in these grains.

Grains on a Penny

MAHLI took this close-up shot of the penny on its calibration target, revealing itsy-bitsy pieces of Martian dust. The bit below and to the left of Lincoln’s ear is about 200 microns across, while the one directly below is 100 microns.